Definition
破 (pò) as a verb means 'to break, split, or destroy' — a general action, less deliberate than 破坏 (pò huài, to destroy/damage intentionally). As an adjective it means 'worn out, damaged, broken' — distinct from 坏 (huài, broader: bad/spoiled), 碎 (suì, shattered into pieces), and 烂 (làn, rotten/overcooked). 破 also uniquely means 'to solve (a case), expose the truth'.
adjective
worn outdamagedbroken
verb
to breakto splitto destroyto defeatto solve (a case)to expose the truth of
Easily confused
- 矿kuànglook-alikemine (a place where minerals are extracted)
- 泼pōsound-aliketo splash; to spill (liquid)
- 砍kǎnlook-aliketo chop, to cut down (with a blade or axe)
- 颇pōsound-alikerather, quite, considerably
- 坡pōsound-alike(noun) slope
Examples
- 破。Wǒ de jiù xié yǐjīng pò le.My old shoes are already worn out.
- 破。Tā bù xiǎoxīn pò le yí gè bēizi.He accidentally broke a cup.
- 破。Jǐngchá zhōngyú pò le zhè ge ànzi.The police finally solved this case.
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